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Bowel Screening been suspended?

(37 Posts)
BridgetPark Wed 22-Sep-21 17:01:55

I am curious as to why I haven't received a test for the bowel screening that was introduced a few years ago. I have read somewhere that it is being quietly dropped, does anyone know if this is correct? If so, how disappointing of the government to halt this screening, when it was originally heralded as a ground breaking approach to catch early cases of bowel cancer. There is bowel cancer in my family, so I was pleased that the screening gave me some assurances. If anyone has any information on this i would appreciate it.

BeverleyJB Wed 22-Sep-21 17:06:41

Don't think it's being dropped. My other half had a letter offering the screening about a week ago and his kit to take the required sample has arrived in today's post.

NanaandGrampy Wed 22-Sep-21 17:07:07

My husband has been contacted within the last 2 weeks so it would appear, here at least, it goes on.

Caro6699 Wed 22-Sep-21 17:08:08

I had one a few weeks ago, so I don’t think it has been suspended.

Blossoming Wed 22-Sep-21 17:11:05

Bowel scope screening is no longer being offered, but the screening programme with the home test kit is being extended to those 56 years and over. I don’t know if it’s lack of resources, like many bowel cancer patients I had to wait for my monitoring colonoscopy as they were suspended due to Covid in 2020 and resumed earlier this year.

Early Wed 22-Sep-21 17:13:36

I am unaware it has stopped. The programme may be behind as with all NHS services die to pandemic backlog.

From NHS:

Everyone aged 60 to 74 who is registered with a GP and lives in England is automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years. The programme is expanding to include 56 year olds in 2021.

If you are 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every 2 years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

Blossoming Wed 22-Sep-21 17:15:49

This is the latest info for England, Scotland may be different.

www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/news-and-blogs/research-blog/bowel-scope-screening-is-stopping-in-england/

Nannarose Wed 22-Sep-21 17:19:28

If you go to the NHS site you can find information about the screening programme and how to contact them if you think you have been missed.

nadateturbe Wed 22-Sep-21 17:20:21

Ours was paused last year. I was able to get a private one. It was actually sent to Dublin. I'm in NI. I dj hope it starts again. They are reassuring and worth doing.

nadateturbe Wed 22-Sep-21 17:20:46

I do hope.

Ladyleftfieldlover Wed 22-Sep-21 17:20:50

I had a letter last week informing me that I will be sent the stuff required in a fortnight. It is two years since my last one, so at least in Oxfordshire things are running smoothly. Thing is, when I had the last one, I had to go for a colonoscopy which showed I had diverticulitis. Assuming it’s still there, I imagine I will have to go for another colonoscopy?

MamaCaz Wed 22-Sep-21 17:42:13

My OH has done the test within the last week, so still being done in Northants.

GillT57 Wed 22-Sep-21 17:43:52

Still being done. I had one sent a couple of weeks ago. Easier than the previous ones too.

Redhead56 Wed 22-Sep-21 17:45:09

I did mine three weeks ago. It's changed instead of three samples over three days. It's now one sample.

Liz46 Wed 22-Sep-21 17:45:31

My husband has had the letter but the kit has not arrived yet.

LauraNorder Wed 22-Sep-21 17:46:28

We’ve both received and returned our kits a few weeks ago.
Got our all clear letter this week.
Super efficient.
Hope you get yours soon.

LauraNorder Wed 22-Sep-21 17:47:43

PS we are in Wales

BlueSky Wed 22-Sep-21 18:01:12

Are they sent around your birthday? I’m asking as my DH had one shortly after his birthday while I’m still waiting. Worth it for the reassurance same as for mammograms, even if at same point you need to request them.

Maya1 Wed 22-Sep-21 18:01:28

Still being done in Cambridgeshire. Last year and this, friends and relatives got theirs all within the correct time frame.

Kalu Wed 22-Sep-21 18:15:29

DH and I received our, one sample only, required, kits and all clear results three weeks ago. We are in Scotland.

BridgetPark Wed 22-Sep-21 18:22:46

Thankyou all so much. That is very reassuring. I am sure its been over 2 years and longer since i had any test through the post. I will go on the website and see if i can request one.
How lovely to be on a forum where people respond so quickly and readily, you are all very lovely, and i am glad to be on here.

nadateturbe Wed 22-Sep-21 19:14:07

Bluesky ours usually came just after birthday. But not during pandemic.

BlueSky Wed 22-Sep-21 19:23:52

Thanks Nadateturbe!

Visgir1 Wed 22-Sep-21 20:11:27

Got mine few months ago and also the routine Breast screening service has been delayed, got that about 4 weeks ago.

Esspee Wed 22-Sep-21 22:15:12

I’m in Scotland, I got my last all clear about two months ago. Instead of three samples I only had to provide one.